WS Chronicle

Last week Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neil announced the launch of DRIVE (Driver Restoration Initiative and Vocational Extension), a new program designed to help residents get their license back.

The District Attorney’s Office initially began a driver’s license restoration program in 2015 with the purpose of giving the city’s financially challenged or low-to-moderate income citizens an opportunity to have their driver’s licenses restored. The program helped hundreds  of people restore their licenses, until funding for it ended. O’Neil said when the program launched, they had no idea so many people were in need. 

On the first day the program was offered in 2015, more than 200 people showed up. 

“When people came back that we helped to show us their driver’s license and there’s tears coming out of their eyes it’s a great feeling to know that you can help somebody improve their way of life,” O’Neal said. 

The new Forsyth County DRIVE Program was made possible by a partnership with the City of Winston-Salem. According to O’Neal, about two years ago Councilman James Taylor, who is publisher of The Chronicle, reached out and wanted to help expand the program. To expand the program and help reach more people, last year city officials voted to allocate $275,000 to fund the program. The funds will be used to pay staff for the program and marketing. 

“I credit Councilman Taylor with understanding that if we had the resources, we could help that many more people in this community,” O’Neal said. “He got everybody on board and everybody could immediately see the benefits of such an opportunity … I want to be sure people know that he was instrumental in us getting that funding so now we can reach more people and do this ongoing, 365 days a year.” 

Before receiving funding, the program was only offered quarterly. 

When discussing the program during a press conference last week, Taylor said it was his honor to be able to work across party lines, expand the program, and bring opportunities to the people. “It’s my understanding there are about 57,000 people in Forsyth County who have a suspended driver’s license, and you know and I know that that overwhelmingly affects people of color and people have a hard time getting to jobs and other opportunities throughout the community,” Taylor continued. 

“I’m proud to say this program will help get folks to those jobs and opportunities and not only to their jobs, it allows them to be able to have opportunities in entrepreneurship, whether that’s trucking, ride sharing … to be able to get out of their communities and work inside of their communities to provide for their families.” 

The new DRIVE program officially launched on Wednesday, Aug. 4. Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Martin said helping people get their license back is a nice change from the murder cases she usually handles. “It lifts my spirit up,” Martin said 

“It feels so good to see a positive event happen in our office because we handle the most serious things where people have had terrible things happen, so it’s nice for us to be on the other side.” 

After having tickets dismissed and receiving the next steps to have their license reinstated, several participants in the program talked about how having their license would help them find better employment. One participant who is a CNA, said she had plans to become a traveling nurse and another said he plans to get his CDL through the program offered by Goodwill Industries of Northwest N.C. 

“I appreciate this opportunity. I was a lot younger when I was getting all those tickets,” he said. “I have plans to get my CDL license so this program really helped me out a lot.” 

The DRIVE Program will not address charges that involve violence, DWI, school bus traffic violations, hit and run violations, and/or sex offenders. For more information or to apply for the DRIVE program, visit DriveForsyth.org or visit the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office, 200 North Main Street.